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US, Allies Conduct Aerial Show Of Force In Response To North Korean Missile Launch

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The United States’ newest and most advanced fighter, the Marine Corps’ F-35B Lightning II, joined U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers for the first time in a sequenced bilateral mission with Japan and South Korean air forces in Northeast Asia, according to a Pacific Air Forces news release.

Two B-1Bs from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; four U.S. Marine F-35Bs from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan; two Japan Air Self-Defense Force Koku Jieitai F-2s; and four South Korean air force F-15Ks executed this mission to emphasize the combined ironclad commitment to the defense of allies and the U.S. homeland. Enhancing combined military readiness through integrated missions ensures national leaders of viable and ready military options.

This mission was conducted in direct response to North Korea’s intermediate-range ballistic missile launch, which flew directly over northern Japan on August 28 amid rising tension over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile development programs.

North Korean Threat

“North Korea’s actions are a threat to our allies, partners and homeland, and their destabilizing actions will be met accordingly,” said Air Force Gen. Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, commander, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, who just returned from an unscheduled visit to Japan to meet with his counterparts.

“This complex mission clearly demonstrates our solidarity with our Allies and underscores the broadening cooperation to defend against this common regional threat,” O’Shaughnessy added. “Our forward-deployed force will be the first to the fight, ready to deliver a lethal response at a moment’s notice if our nation calls.”

Over the course of the 10-hour mission, the F-35Bs, B-1B bombers and Koku Jieitai fighters flew together over waters near Kyushu, Japan. The U.S. and South Korean aircraft then flew across the Korean Peninsula and practiced attack capabilities by releasing live weapons at the Pilsung Range training area before returning to their respective home stations.

“The F-35 embodies our commitment to our allies and contributes to the overall security and stability of the Indo-Asia Pacific region,” said Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific. “By forward basing the F-35, the most advanced aircraft in the world, here in the Pacific, we are enabling the Marine Corps to respond quickly during a crisis in support of Japan, the Republic of Korea, and all our regional partners.”

U.S. Pacific Command maintains strategic bomber and fighter capabilities in the Indo-Asia-Pacific theater, retaining the ability to respond to any regional threat at a moment’s notice.


Macedonia, Greece, Pledge To Revive ‘Name’ Talks

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By Sinisa Jakov Marusic

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and his Macedonian host, Nikola Dimitrov – meeting in Skopje – said future talks would centre on solving the long-running dispute about Macedonia’s name.

At a joint press conference following their meeting in Skopje, the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Macedonia on Thursday said their discussions focused mainly on ways to revive stalled talks on Macedonia’s name – which Greece disputes – possibly this autumn.

Dimitrov emphasized that it was important for Greece to recognize “the new reality” in Macedonia that had occurred after the change in power in May, and was reflected in Macedonia’s “sincere desire” to build friendship with Athens.

“We expect and hope for help and support regarding our European integration and we want to see a friend and future ally in each other, instead of [trying to] outsmart each other,” Dimitrov said.

It is expected that UN-sponsored talks on the dispute, which have prevented Macedonia from joining NATO and starting its EU accession talks, may resume after the local elections in Macedonia in mid-October.

The fresh impetus comes after Macedonia’s new government pledged to renew the drive for Euro-Atlantic integration and resolve any open issues with its neighbours, primarily Greece, that stand in the way of this aim.

Kotzias, whose country has blocked Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration over the long-standing dispute, insisted that Greece wants “to see this dear northern country join NATO and the EU – but for that to happen, it must be in accordance to EU and NATO rules”.

He was referring to the EU and NATO principles on reaching a consensus among all member states before admitting new members – which Athens has used to block Macedonia’s progress.

The dispute centres on Greek insistence that use of the word “Macedonia” implies a territorial claim to the northern Greek province of the same name.

In 2008, Macedonia narrowly missed the chance to enter NATO solely because of the name dispute with Greece. NATO then said that Macedonia would become a member the moment it solved the bilateral dispute. Macedonia cannot start EU accession talks for the same reason.

So far, all efforts made by the veteran UN mediator Matthew Nimetz to find a compromise solution through some kind of compound name that would satisfy both sides have failed.

The talks have effectively been frozen since 2014, partly owing to the political crisis which engulfed Macedonia in early 2015 and which ended only recently, with the election of a new government under Zoran Zaev.

Nimetz renewed his diplomatic efforts this summer and met both foreign minister in separate meetings. He said that more concrete talks could be expected in the autumn.

During his stay in Skopje, Kotzias, who was making a return visit after Dimitrov went to Greece in June, will also meet Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov, Prime Minister Zaev and the Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Bujar Osmani.

Antifa Uses 1932 Flag Of German Communist Party – OpEd

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Alt-Left thugs are using that an image taken from Germany in 1932 that sought to polarize society. Their logo, weaponized words, double standards and lack of logic. Its all from Germany 85 years ago. They call everyone Nazis because that is who their opposition in Germany was.

Antifa prefaced The National Socialist German Workers’ Party and empowered them. Without Antifa’s violence the Nazi party would have never won anything.

Antifaschistische Aktion

The first German movement to call itself Antifaschistische Aktion was proclaimed by the German Communist Party (KPD) in their newspaper Rote Fahne in 1932 and held its first rally in Berlin on July 10, 1932, then the capital of the Weimar Republic.

During the early 1930s amidst rising tensions between Nazis and the communists, Berlin in particular was the site of regular and often very violent clashes between the two groups.

In May 1932, the communist paramilitary organization Rotfrontkämpferbund was banned and, following a skirmish between Nazi and communist members in the parliament, the Antifaschistische Aktion was founded to ensure that the communists still had a militant wing to rival the paramilitary organizations of the Nazis.

After the forced dissolution in the wake of the Machtergreifung in 1933, the movement was revived during the 1980s.

One of the biggest antifascist campaigns in Germany in recent years was the effort to block the annual Nazi-rallies in the east German city of Dresden in Saxony, which had grown into “Europe’s biggest gathering of Nazis”.

In October 2016, the Antifa in Dresden campaigned on the occasion of the anniversary of the reunification of Germany on October 3 for “turning Unity celebrations into a disaster” (“Einheitsfeierlichkeiten zum Desaster machen”), to protest this display of new German nationalism, whilst explicitly not ruling out the use of violence.

This article has been edited for sake of clarity.

Iraq: After Three Years Of ISIS Occupation, Mass Returns To Mosul – Video

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Following the liberation of Mosul, Iraq, from the hands of the Islamic State, Christians are cautiously returning to the city. And as they return, so does the Mass.

Fr. Luis Montes, a priest of the Institute of the Incarnate Word, celebrated Mass earlier this month at Saint George Monastery. The priest traveled to Mosul to record part of a documentary entitled Guardianes de la Fe (Guardians of the Faith), which seeks to show the reality of life for Christians in Iraq and Syria.

In a video (see below) posted on the Amigos de Irak (Friends of Iraq) Facebook page, Fr. Montes said that the Mass was celebrated Aug. 9 – a month after Mosul’s liberation – on the feast day of St. Edith Stein, who died a martyr in a Nazi concentration camp.

The priest said it was “a great gift of God” to be able to celebrate the feast day of a martyr in the monastery, which “surely gave many martyrs to the Church.”

Pointing to the damage to the monastery entrance, he said that he believes the lower level may have been “used as a prison at some time, (as) the Christians left their names there written on the walls as a witness.”

Located in the eastern part of the city, the monastery was badly damaged by ISIS militants.

“Rubble everywhere, the stone facing on walls knocked off, all the religious statues destroyed,” Fr. Montes said. “The grotto of the Virgin Mary destroyed…Crosses set into the walls were chopped off with sledgehammers so no trace would remain of anything that is Christian, of anything that is Jesus Christ.”

In the chapel where they celebrated Mass, the altar was stripped of its marble adornments, and the walls had been damaged.

The experience of celebrating the Eucharist amidst so much devastation was awe-inspiring, Fr. Montes said.

“In this place, which has been attacked for being Christian, the contemplation of the Mystery of the Cross, which is renewed in Holy Mass, had so much power,” he reflected.

“Some priests later told the young people that accompanied me that they believed that this was the first Mass” celebrated within the city of Mosul – which was among the areas hardest hit by ISIS – in the last three years, he added. “It’s really a gift from God.”

The priest said that he offered the Mass for Europe, “which suffers from having turned away from Our Lord God, so that the blood of the martyrs here in the Middle East may stir Europe, touch it, so that it awakens.”

The sight of so much desecration is painful, Fr. Montes acknowledged, and it is even more painful to think of the hatred for Christ that motivated the attacks.

But at the same time, he said, “there is such a beautiful satisfaction in knowing that one is serving a persecuted people.”

¡Misa en Mosul después de tres años!

¡Misa en Mosul después de tres años!El P. Luis Montes, IVE, nos relata su visita al Monasterio de San Jorge, en Mosul

Posted by Amigos de Irak on Monday, August 28, 2017

Saudi Arabia: Pilgrims Prepare For ‘Stoning Of Satan’ Ritual

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After converging on the plains of Arafat on Thursday for the most important ritual of Hajj, Muslims pilgrims descended to Muzdalifa to prepare for the final stages of the annual pilgrimage.

As the sun set, they began moving to the rocky plain to gather pebbles to throw at stone columns symbolizing the devil at another location called Jamarat on Friday, which marks the first day of Eid Al-Adha (feast of sacrifice).

Hajj and Umrah Minister Mohammed bin Saleh Taher Bentin confirmed that more than 2 million pilgrims have managed to reach Arafat’s high level easily, with more than 20,000 buses and similar private cars in operation.

On Thursday night, the eve of Eid Al-Adha, Saudi King Salman arrived in Mina to review the services offered to pilgrims, the Saudi press Agency said.

Statistics from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah showed that as of Thursday, the total number of local and foreign pilgrims reached 2,352,122. Hundreds of thousands more have been turned away by security forces for lack of permit to perform Hajj.

High point of Hajj

On Thursday, with temperatures pushing 40 degrees Celsius under the desert sun, the faithful climbed the hill east of Makkah where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave his last sermon some 14 centuries ago.

Standing at Mount Arafat in prayer before sunset on 9th Dul Hijjah is the high point of Hajj.

Other worshippers who had been praying in the nearby Mina area ascended in buses or on foot from before dawn as security forces directed traffic and helicopters hovered overhead.

Some of the faithful carved out seats on the craggy hillside, carrying umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun. Others filled nearby roads, undeterred by the scorching heat of the sun.

Men and women from nearly every country in the world gathered side by side, some crying on their neighbor’s shoulder.

An elderly Syrian pilgrim sitting on the hilltop shouted out, “Oh God, take revenge on the oppressors.” Others assembled around him responded, “Amen.”

Awfa Nejm, from a village near Homs, said: “We ask God to protect Syria and its people and return it to the way it was before.”

Twenty-seven-year-old Amin Mohammed from Nigeria said he was praying for peace in his country.

Saudi Arabia said more than 2.3 million pilgrims, most of them from outside Saudi Arabia, had arrived for the five-day ritual, a religious duty once in a lifetime for every able-bodied Muslim who can afford the journey.

No politics, please

Sheikh Saad Al-Shathri, a senior Saudi cleric, delivered a midday sermon denouncing terrorism and violence against civilians.

“Sharia came to preserve the security of nations and cultivate benevolence in (people’s) hearts,” he said, referring to the Islamic legal and moral code derived from the teachings of the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet.

He urged pilgrims to set aside politics during the Hajj and come together with fellow Muslims.

“This is no place for partisan slogans or sectarian movements which have resulted in great massacres and the displacement of millions,” he said.

Security had been tight, with officials saying they have taken all necessary precautions this year, with more than 100,000 members of the security forces and 30,000 health workers on hand to maintain safety and provide first aid.

A crush in 2015 which killed hundreds occurred when two large groups of pilgrims arrived together at a crossroads in Mina, a few kilometers east of Makkah, on their way to Jamarat. It was the worst disaster to strike Hajj for at least 25 years.

Saudi Arabia stakes its reputation on its guardianship of Islam’s holiest sites — Makkah and Medina — and organizing the pilgrimage. Saudi state television on Thursday morning showed a new kiswa, the cloth embroidered with verses from the Qur’an, being placed over the Kaaba in Makkah’s Grand Mosque. Pilgrims will return to pray there at the end of Hajj.

Abdelhadi Abu Gharib, a young Egyptian pilgrim, prayed in Muzdalifa before collecting stones for Friday’s ritual.

“The scene today in Arafat confirms that Muslims are not terrorists and that Islam is the greatest religion,” he said. “God has blessed us with Islam.”

The Deal Detween Hezbollah And Islamic State – OpEd

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By Diana Moukalled*

The deal that Hezbollah brokered with the Daesh (Islamic State), supported by Damascus, Tehran and probably Moscow, has caused confusion that extends beyond Lebanon’s borders. The deal stipulated the withdrawal of 300 Daesh fighters from Lebanon’s eastern barrens to the Iraqi-Syrian border, in exchange for the release of Hezbollah prisoners, and revealing the fate of Lebanese soldiers taken hostage by the terrorist group.

In Lebanon, despite Hezbollah’s control over decision-making, many reject the humiliating deal, especially since Hezbollah had previously prevented the state from negotiating over the soldiers or militarily resolving the matter via the national army. Hezbollah has led a propaganda campaign portraying Lebanon’s government and people as affiliated to it, the Syrian regime and Iran.

The deal has stirred international and regional dismay, including from Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi. In addition, the US-led coalition carried out a strike to prevent the passage of the convoy of Daesh evacuees — a clear sign of Washington’s rejection of the deal.

Practically, Hezbollah won, but the battle in the barrens, whose details remain unclear, was not a military victory. Hezbollah won because its Lebanese opponents were defeated, and because of a significant change in the regional map. Ever since Hezbollah launched the battle, there has been talk of international and US resentment, yet it achieved what it wanted to.

When the Lebanese Army was in the midst of battle in Ras Baalbek and Al-Qaa, Hezbollah and the Syrian Army announced their coordination with the Lebanese military despite the latter’s denial. Hezbollah wanted to prove this coordination by announcing the start and end of the battle. With its success, its sponsor Iran can more easily fulfill its regional ambitions.

Weak Lebanese and Iraqi objections over the transfer of Daesh fighters do not challenge Tehran’s interests. US talk of fending off Iran’s regional influence is not backed by any real accomplishment. There is no political or practical vision to curb this influence. The US-led coalition strike that caused a crater on the road on which the Daesh convoy was passing can only be regarded as Washington’s transient discontent.

Hezbollah is at the heart of political power in Lebanon, and its orders are always obeyed. Yet the recent speech by its Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah showed great unease. He attacked all those who oppose what he is doing. Hezbollah’s media has also led a campaign of intimidation and threats. Nasrallah responded to Baghdad’s objections lamely, saying the Daesh fighters were moved from one Syrian region to another.

Regional and international deals have allowed Hezbollah, Iran and the Syrian regime to control the region and the fate of its peoples. Everyone is talking about victories, but what kind of victories exterminate people and destroy cities while the whole world watches from afar?

• Diana Moukalled is a veteran journalist with extensive experience in both traditional and new media. She is also a columnist and freelance documentary producer. Twitter @dianamoukalled

Georgia Closes Gülen-Affiliated School In Tbilisi

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(Civil.Ge) — The National Center for Education Quality Enhancement (NCEQE), an agency at the Georgian Ministry of Education, which studies conformity of educational institutions with standards set by the Georgian legislation, decided to close down the Private Demirel College in Tbilisi, operated by the Chaglar Educational Institutions, a Gülen-affiliated network in Georgia.

The NCEQE authorization council decided not to renew the school “authorization,” a certificate required for any institution to carry out high educational activities in Georgia, at its meeting on August 29, citing problems with teacher and student registration, as well as the school infrastructure and equipment.

In the words of Revaz Apkhazava, one of the members of the NCEQE authorization council, the school had “numerous problems” and its closure had nothing to do with “the political question.”

“The school enrolled Turkish citizens (students) in violation of Georgian legislation; it registered in a very short period of time that the students completed the Georgian-language program, which is a nonsense… the student registration procedures were not well-organized as well,” Apkhazava told Civil.ge and added that the monitoring carried out at the College documented the illegal registration of 87 such students.

The Ministry of Education commented on the matter as well.

Nata Asatiani, head of the Public Relations Department, stated that the College had “violations,” and added that the Ministry would assist in transferring the students and teachers to other schools in Tbilisi.

“We have reached out to a number of private schools and they have expressed readiness to accept Private Demirel College students and teachers,” Asatiani noted.

The decision comes slightly over three months after the detention of Mustafa Emre Çabuk, one of the managers of the Private Demirel College. Çabuk was detained on May 24 at the request of Turkish authorities and was sent to three-month pre-extradition detention by the Tbilisi City Court a day later. On August 23, the Tbilisi City Court upheld the prosecution’s motion and extended Çabuk’s detention period by three months.

The Private Demirel College is the second Gülen-affiliated educational institution to have been shut by the Georgian Ministry of Education in 2017.

The NCEQE authorization council cancelled the school “authorization” of Batumi Refaiddin Şahin Friendship School on February 3, on the grounds that the school compliance monitoring revealed “significant problems with respect to student enrolment.”

The Private Demirel College was founded in 1993 pursuant to the agreement of former Georgian and Turkish Presidents Eduard Shevardnadze and Suleyman Demirel, respectively.

Euro Area Unemployment Stands At 9.1 %, Lowest Since 2009

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The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.1% in July 2017, stable compared to June 2017 and down from 10.0% in July 2016.

In July 2017, the unemployment rate in the United States was 4.3%, down from 4.4% in June 2017 and from 4.9% in July 2016.

This is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since February 2009. The EU28 unemployment rate was 7.7% in July 2017, stable compared to June 2017 and down from 8.5% in July 2016. This remains the lowest rate recorded in the EU28 since December 2008. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Eurostat estimates that 18.916 million men and women in the EU28, of whom 14.860 million in the euro area, were unemployed in July 2017. Compared with June 2017, the number of persons unemployed increased by 93 000 in the EU28 and by 73 000 in the euro area. Compared with July 2016, unemployment fell by 1.928 million in the EU28 and by 1.309 million in the euro area.

Member States

Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates in July 2017 were recorded in the Czech Republic (2.9%), Germany (3.7%) and Malta (4.1%). The highest unemployment rates were observed in Greece (21.7% in May 2017) and Spain (17.1%).

Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate fell in all Member States for which data is comparable over time, except Finland where it remained stable. The largest decreases were registered in Croatia (from 13.2% to 10.6%), Spain (from 19.6% to 17.1%), Slovakia (from 9.7% to 7.3%) and Cyprus (from 13.0% to 10.8%).


Roma Inclusion: More Effort Needed To Improve Access To Schooling And Employment

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The European Commission has published the results of an assessment that looks at how Member States are implementing their national Roma integration strategies.

The assessment highlights how the situation of Roma has changed since 2011. Overall, the picture is slowly improving, for instance there is now greater participation of Roma in early childhood education and a declining rate of early school-leavers. On the other hand, the assessment also shows that as many as 80% of Roma are still at risk of poverty; although this figure is lower than in 2011.

First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said, “The EU is built on the values of tolerance and equality. These values are not yet enjoyed by every EU citizen, and that is not acceptable. Member States have to accelerate their efforts to improve Roma integration if we are to put an end to the prejudices, segregation and discrimination still felt by Roma today.”

According to Věra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, “EU governments have put in place strategies to integrate Roma – this is important, but a first step. Now is the time for Member States to implement them and make a real difference to people’s lives. Nowhere is this more important than education. Roma children should have exactly the same access to schools as others. Education is the key to better integration into society, opening doors to jobs and a better life for everyone.”

The EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies has moved Roma integration higher up on national political agenda and helped set up the necessary goals, structures, funding and monitoring in order to improve integration across Europe.

However, in the areas of education, employment, health, and housing, improvements are unequal and modest, according to the assessment:

Education: More Roma children participate in early childhood education and care (53% in 2016, up from 47% in 2011) – with most significant improvements in Spain, Slovakia, Bulgaria Hungary and Romania- and fewer leave school early (68% in 2016, declining from 87% in 2011). These figures are still too high and segregation in education remains an issue in some countries, with more than 60% of Roma children separated from other children in Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria.

Employment: The growing proportion of young Roma who are not in education, employment or training (63% in 2016, up from 56% in 2011) is an alarming sign that the transition from education to employment and other areas is not effective. This rate has actually risen in Spain, Slovakia, Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Health: The lack of basic medical insurance coverage remains acute in several Member States. For instance, half of the Roma population doesn’t have access to basic medical insurance coverage in Bulgaria and Romania.

Housing: Access of Roma households to basic services (tap water and electricity) is improving, especially in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, but Roma in Portugal, Czech Republic and Spain increasingly experience discrimination when it comes to access to housing, including social housing.

The Commission is calling for further and more coordinated efforts between the European, national, and local levels. This includes creating national Roma platforms, for example, which bring all these actors together to streamline the work with Roma communities. Member States must prioritise the fight against discrimination and antigypsyism, and focus on the integration of Roma youth, women and children.

Based on the assessment published, the Commission will define the post 2020 Roma integration strategy, as called for by EU Member States.

US Orders Russian Consulate In San Francisco Closed

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By Mike Eckel*

(RFE/RL) — The United States has ordered the closure of Russia’s consulate in San Francisco, escalating a diplomatic tit-for-tat that followed Moscow’s order for a sharp cut in U.S. diplomatic personnel in Russia.

The State Department said in a statement August 31 that two other diplomatic buildings in Washington and New York used as trade annexes must also be shuttered.

“In the spirit of parity invoked by the Russians, we are requiring the Russian Government to close its Consulate General in San Francisco, a chancery annex in Washington, D.C., and a consular annex in New York City,” the statement said. “These closures will need to be accomplished by September 2.”

The move followed last month’s order by Russia that the United States cut its diplomatic personnel in the country by 755 to 455 people. Russian officials cited a new sanctions law passed by Congress as the cause for the cut.

“We believe this action was unwarranted and detrimental to the overall relationship between our countries,” the department said.

The shuttering of the San Francisco facility will leave Russia with the main embassy facility in Washington and three other consular posts on the territory of the United States — in Seattle, on the northwestern Pacific coast; in Houston, in the southern state of Texas; and in New York City, on the East Coast.

“The United States hopes that, having moved toward the Russian Federation’s desire for parity, we can avoid further retaliatory actions by both sides and move forward to achieve the stated goal of both our presidents: improved relations between our two countries and increased cooperation on areas of mutual concern,” the statement said.

“The United States is prepared to take further action as necessary and as warranted,” it said.

The order to close the San Francisco facility was a marked escalation in the back-and-forth between Moscow and Washington and a reflection of just how poisoned bilateral relations have become.

President Donald Trump’s election was openly welcomed in Moscow, where many officials anticipated warmer ties, something Trump himself had repeatedly called for.

That optimism has quieted, however, as the Trump administration has not moved to make any of the concrete conciliatory gestures Moscow has requested.

Foremost among those requests was the return of two diplomatic compounds in Maryland and New York’s Long Island that had been ordered closed by Trump’s predecessor, Barack Obama, in December for what he said was retaliation for Russia’s interference in last year’s presidential election. U.S. officials alleged the facilities were used for intelligence gathering.

Obama also ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats.

In July, after it became clear that Washington did not intend to return those facilities, Russia said it was seizing a bucolic riverside property in Moscow used by U.S. diplomats for years, along with a warehouse.

The reports of Russian interference has dogged Trump since he took office in January, with four different congressional committees investigating either that alleged meddling or interactions between Trump associates and Russian officials.

The FBI has had a criminal investigation into those interactions ongoing since July and the probe is now being overseen by a special counsel, Robert Mueller, who has reportedly used a grand jury to get testimony from both Americans and Russians.

Asked about the State Department announcement, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said decision was made by Trump and she called it “a firm and measured action in response to Russia’s unfortunate decision earlier this year.”

“We want to halt the downward spiral and we want to move forward toward better relations and we’re going to look for opportunities to do that,” Sanders told reporters.

In a statement released shortly after the State Department announcement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on August 31.

Lavrov “expressed regret at the escalation of tensions in bilateral relations, not started by us, and stated that Moscow is closely studying the announcement by the Americans of new measures, after which our response will be communicated,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry has already complained about the reduction in U.S. diplomatic personnel, in particular U.S. announcements that processing of nonimmigrant visas will be severely curtailed, if not halted altogether.

The closure announcement came on the same day that Russia’s new ambassador to the United States arrived in Washington for the first time since his appointment. In comments to the state news agency Tass made at Dulles international airport, Anatoly Antonov cautioned patience, and alluded to a quotation from Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin.

“Right now we need to sort this out calmly, very calmly, and act professionally,” he was quoted as saying. “To quote Lenin, we don’t need hysterical outbursts.”

Windows Machines Targeted By CIA Under ‘Angelfire’ – WikiLeaks

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Windows machines are targeted by the CIA under ‘Angelfire,’ according to the latest release from WikiLeaks’ ‘Vault7’ series. The documents detail an implant that can allow Windows machines to create undetectable libraries.

‘Angelfire’ consists of five components – ‘Solartime,’‘Wolfcreek,’ ‘Keystone,’ ‘BadMFS,’ and the ‘Windows Transitory File system,’ according to a statement from WikiLeaks released on Thursday.

‘Solartime’ modifies the partition boot sector of Windows XP or Windows 7 machines when installed, allowing the ‘Wolfcreek’ implant to load and execute. ‘Wolfcreek’ can then load and execute other ‘Angelfire’ implants.

Previously known as ‘MagicWand,’ ‘Keystone’ loads malicious user applications on the machine which never touch the file system, leaving “very little forensic evidence that the process ever ran” according to WikiLeaks.

‘BadMFS’ is described as a library which stores all drivers and implants that ‘Wolfcreek’ can activate. In some versions it can be detected, but in most it’s encrypted and obfuscated, making it undetectable to string or PE header scanning, used to detect malware.

‘Windows Transitory File system’ is used to install ‘AngelFire,’ according to the release, allowing the addition or removal of files from it.

WikiLeaks says the leaked ‘Vault 7’ documents came from within the CIA, which has in turn refused to confirm their authenticity. Previous releases include details on CIA hacking tools used to weaponize mobile phones, compromize smart TVs and the ability to trojan the Apple OS.

Radicalization Of The Female Worker – Analysis

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Research on efforts to counter terrorist radicalisation has been fixated with the male bomber. However, recent cases show that women are also radicalised and tempted to embrace terrorist causes for a variety of reasons. This has serious ramifications for the efforts of government and society to safeguard the population from terror threats and to preserve peace and security.

By Tamara Nair and Alan Chong*

More often than not, the suicide bomber was a male who volunteered to end his life so that his family could obtain permanent welfare benefits from a self-proclaimed liberation organisation. Just as plausible was the male who lost his moral and religious compass amidst a worldly global economy and chanced upon the prospect of providential redemption through an act of ‘selfless terrorism’ against ‘infidels’. Several recent instances in Asia defy this frame of analysis.

Women are now reportedly also tempted to embrace terrorist causes for reasons of psychological displacement and the search for a sense of ‘place’ in dominant power structures. The case reported in the New York Times of Ms. Ayu (not her real name) in Hong Kong and the one of Ms. Syaikhah Izzah Zahrah Al Ansari in Singapore showcase the very real possibility that women are equally salient targets for radicalisation by the likes of ISIS, Al Qaeda and JI. Most recently, Indonesia sent to jail its first would-be female suicide bomber, Ms. Dian Yulia Novi. These women were lured by online propaganda primarily because the latter preyed upon their very fears as a marginalised individual. The significant point is the seeming irrelevance of gender.

Away from Comfort Zone

The feminisation of migrant labour has come about as a result of a need to fulfil ‘women’s work’ in receiving countries. This is especially true in household work and caring for the aged, disabled and the very young. The measly costing of women’s ‘unpaid work’ and the outsourcing of such ‘work’ bring about issues of the low incomes earned by migrant domestic workers, and the value of women’s work in the homes.

The occupation of the female domestic helper calls for special focus. The woman who applies for a position of a domestic helper outside her own country tends to be less educated than her male counterpart. Additionally, she carries with her the tragic stereotype of the defenceless female liable to be defrauded and taken advantage of by her employer.

Nevertheless, such domestic work is seen as respectable. The job mimic women’s work back home such as care giving, cooking and cleaning. But the fact that these women also live in the homes of their employers and are privy to not only what is happening in the home but also the surrounding neighbourhoods is a cause for concern when we think in terms of potential radicalised behaviour. Even if they are not ‘active’ representatives of radicalised groups, there is the risk of them becoming a node in the global reach of terrorist organisations in exporting ‘dangerous’ ideas.

The New York Times report on Ms. Ayu stated that she was only a nominal Muslim while in Indonesia and became more fervent in her faith while working in Hong Kong. She was exposed to radicalised teachings through social media, often an outlet for her frustrations and loneliness. More recently, the two foreign domestic workers in Singapore who were repatriated to Indonesia were also radicalised through social media.

A 2016 report from the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism based in Malaysia addresses the issue of radicalisation of overseas foreign workers from the Philippines (the majority of whom are women) in the Middle East. The report highlights that the threat and susceptibility of these workers being radicalised and recruited in or near conflict zones are significant.

It mentions the arrest by Saudi authorities of an expatriate Syrian and his Filipino partner, Joy Ibana Balinang, for suspected involvement in terrorist acts in September 2015. Ms. Balinang is said to have run away from her employer’s home 15 months earlier.

Motivation Beyond Religion

These women probably have a fundamentally wrong awareness of their motives. They do not reveal the true ‘struggles’ between class and gender or the real state of affairs. The case of Ms. Syaikhah Izzah Zahrah Al Ansari, working as an infant care assistant at a preschool in Singapore, is instructive. Experts have come together to explain why she, and others like her, have been influenced by reasons like prospects of romance and romantic ideals of being married to a ‘soldier of God’ or being a ‘martyr’ to the cause.

In the case of Ms. Dian Yulia Novi, there is the possibility that she was influenced by her husband to consult radicalisation propaganda online while she was working as a domestic helper in Singapore.

We feel this line of analysis is inadequate. These women are in fact subject to various societal concepts and practices, exercising influence over them. They include: that of patriarchy, religion, historical outlooks derived from traditions, and societal preferences in terms of behaviour and cultural norms. Subjugation from different angles, at home and outside, force them to act upon these suppressing factors; in all likelihood, their actions are even unbeknownst to them.

The fact is these women ‘resist’ their fate from within such dominant power structures using techniques most available to them – in this case, their understanding of a faith as propagated by extremists, seemingly emulating what is essentially a male bastion of power. Yet they still stay within the mould of what is expected of them – daughter, wife, mother. The point is that a better understanding of these enveloping elements will facilitate a more enduring rehabilitation process.

Defending Women Against Radicalisation

The general assumption that women are nurturing, forgiving, and patient beings best suited to ensure the well-being of families and society is misleading, as demonstrated by the increased security threats posed by radicalised females in this region and elsewhere.

While waiting for society at large to take a more enlightened approach, existing practices and policies need adaptation and modification. At the broader level, more attention must be applied to the realities of the lived experiences of women.

The UN Security Council (UNSC) explicitly recognises “that development, security, and human rights are mutually reinforcing and are vital to an effective and comprehensive approach to countering terrorism”. UNSC Resolution 2178 (2014), which focuses on foreign terrorist fighters, encourages Member States to engage relevant local communities and non-governmental actors in developing strategies to counter the violent extremist narrative. This includes empowering women by fostering social cohesion and inclusiveness.

For the longer term, the imperative is to examine gender issues away from the traditional paradigm. To curb female radicalisation in the workforce, addressing gender-specific socio-economic plight will be an important step. For starters, understand that women in the workforce have unique and different ways of viewing the world and interpreting what is needed to make their lives and the lives of their families better.

Existing knowledge on radicalisation may find the link between extremist behaviour and inequalities rather tenuous. We agree, as long as those linkages are viewed through a particular lens. But once the blinkers are removed, links become apparent. This allows us a wider field of vision. Radicalisation through religion need not be the more attractive path out of socio-economic disenchantment.

*Tamara Nair is Research Fellow at the Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies and Alan Chong is Associate Professor at the Centre for Multilateralism Studies, both in the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

Trump Unveils Afghanistan Strategy, But Uncertainties Remain – Analysis

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An integrated and international approach – with Afghanistan taking the lead on its security – requires US diplomacy and commitment.

By Marc Grossman and Tom West*

Few knew what to expect as Donald Trump stood before an audience of US soldiers to announce his administration’s policy toward Afghanistan and South Asia, given his repeated calls in the past for a US withdrawal from Afghanistan and a shocking response to the violent acts of neo-Nazis and the KKK in Charlottesville, Virginia, a few days earlier on August 15.

In fact, while wrapped in his trademark hyperbole, the president’s comments outlined a reasonable way forward. He supported a conditions-based rather than calendar-driven approach to America’s troop presence, correctly not specifying an exact number of new forces. Trump was right to say that “the consequences of a rapid exit are both predictable and unacceptable,” and so he called for US forces to focus on the counterterrorism mission while providing more training and operational support for Afghan forces. While calling for an “integrated” approach to the region, Trump left to others the arduous task of shaping and implementing diplomatic and military details.

On July 20 in YaleGlobal, we highlighted five questions we thought the Trump administration should address about Afghanistan. The president’s address on August 21 dealt with most of them.

1) What is the US mission in Afghanistan?

US forces are in Afghanistan, Trump said, to prevent “the resurgence of safe havens that enable terrorists to threaten America” by “obliterating ISIS” and “crushing Al Qaeda” while providing more training and operational support for Afghan forces. Trump added that US troops would seek to prevent the Taliban from taking over Afghanistan, saying that “strategically applied force” could encourage a political settlement with the Taliban. American soldiers will have the mandate to do more in support of Afghan operations against the Taliban.

2) Will more US troops encourage other nations to send more soldiers?

Trump said that the United States will ask NATO allies and partners for more troops and funding. Sadly, he did so without recognizing the substantial human and material sacrifices others have made in Afghanistan. So far, NATO allies have supported America’s new policy but have lowered expectations of additional troop commitments. Germany’s Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said she did not see Germany “in the front row of people who should be asked for more soldiers” since Germany increased its troops there by 18 percent in 2016, bringing the German contingent to 980. Italy, with more than 800 troops in Afghanistan, declined to comment. The British, too, appear unlikely to increase their commitment of 600 troops. Whether the Australians will send additional forces is an open question.

3) Is the Kabul government up to the task of leading its armed forces against a committed insurgency?

Trump emphasized his high expectations that Afghan leaders take ownership of their country’s future. In a positive sign, President Ashraf Ghani recently agreed to a new “compact” for wide-ranging reforms. Afghan CEO Abdullah Abdullah welcomed Trump’s rejection of further US efforts for nation-building. That’s “our job,” he said.

4) Will the nations of the larger region play a constructive role to contribute to a secure Afghanistan and stable region?

The president condemned Pakistan for its support for extremists, saying “no partnership can survive a country’s harboring of militants and terrorists who target US service members and officials.” Trump invited India to “help us more with Afghanistan, especially in the area of economic assistance and development.” The address did not mention China, Russia or Iran, all countries with significant influence in the region and facing varying levels of criticism from Trump in the past.

Pakistani leaders condemned Trump’s “false narrative” of safe havens. Prime Minister Shahid Abbasi’s office called for “immediate US efforts” to target terrorists on Afghan soil and deplored “Indian policies inimical to peace in the region.”

Indian officials welcomed Trump’s “determination to enhance efforts to overcome the challenges facing Afghanistan.” Playing up Beijing’s role as Pakistan’s “all-weather friend,” Chinese Foreign Minister Yang asked Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in a phone call to “attach importance to Pakistan’s important role in Afghanistan and respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and legitimate security concerns.”

5) Can an increase in US troops and more intense engagement in the fighting create conditions for a peace settlement among Afghans?

“Someday,” Trump said, “after an effective military effort, perhaps it will be possible to have a political settlement that includes elements of the Taliban in Afghanistan. But nobody knows if or when that will ever happen.” His language recognizes the reality of Taliban’s current strategy, which is to fight on all fronts, including merciless attacks on civilians. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid warned that that if the United States didn’t withdraw its troops, “soon Afghanistan will become another graveyard for this superpower in the 21st century.”

As Henry Kissinger reminds us in World Order, while “Americans hold that every problem has a solution; Chinese think that each solution is an admission ticket to a new set of problems.” As we move forward with a new approach to Afghanistan, new questions will appear.

Can the United States walk the fine line the president staked out on Pakistan?

More troops in Afghanistan mean continued reliance on the ground and air lines of communication which run through and over Pakistan to supply them. Pakistan and the United States will continue to face common threats, such as Al Qaeda, which require close cooperation. Trump’s hardline on Pakistan was short on details, and Americans will need to see whether the follow-through – be it possible cuts in assistance, threats of sanctions, or more – change Pakistan’s posture toward extremism.

Can US forces advance Afghan efforts on the battlefield without appropriating the Afghans’ struggle against the Taliban?

American generals and soldiers will wrestle with this dilemma as they determine how often to conduct airstrikes on Taliban targets, at what levels of the Afghan military our troops will be embedded, and when to let partners wage operations on their own. There is a danger of American mission creep. It will be critical to continue to encourage Afghan ownership of their fight.

Can the president enlist the support of China, Iran, Russia and the Central Asian states – all required – to build regional support for peace in Afghanistan?

A diplomatic strategy to end the war is the most essential thing to get right. This requires investing in the complex work of encouraging a regional consensus for peace in Afghanistan and deploying political capital at leadership levels to support US policy. In the face of what seems like an administration effort to deconstruct the State Department, will US diplomats have the capacity to pursue the diplomatic strategy in the area needed to support US forces in the field and ultimately end the war?

Finally, will the president follow through on the outlined strategy? Things will certainly go wrong in Afghanistan, some of them very quickly and with great human costs. Americans, US allies, and friends will wonder which President Trump delivered the Afghanistan speech, and any uncertainty about US commitment will undermine the strategy.  Is the president committed to the policy he announced on August 21, or is another shift simply a tweet away?

*Ambassador Marc Grossman is a vice chairman of the Cohen Group. A US Foreign Service Officer for 29 years, he retired in 2005 as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. The ambassador was the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, 2011 to 2012, and a Kissinger Senior Fellow at Yale in 2013.

*Tom West is an associate vice president at the Cohen Group. He was a civil servant at the US State Department from 2005 to 2015. He was the senior US diplomat in Afghanistan’s Kunar province from 2011 to 2012 and on the National Security Council and in the Office of Vice President Joseph Biden from 2012 to 2015.

Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link: Bane Or Gain? – Analysis

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With the launch of East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Malaysia has demonstrated its commitment to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, the proliferation of mega infrastructural projects in the country involving China companies could lead to Malaysia’s overdependence on China, undermining its foreign policy leverage with Beijing.

By Johan Saravanamuttu*

The ground-breaking on 9 August 2017 of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) was a low-key affair despite its significance. Connecting Port Klang on the Strait of Malacca to Kuantan and Kota Baru on the South China Sea coast, the site of the event was lined with China’s flags and the occasion graced by its State Councillor Wang Yang. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said in his speech that the ECRL, to be completed by 2024, would be a game-changer for the country.

It is also a critical component of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), originally known as the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) launched by China last May. The 688 kilometre railway will cut travel time between the two end points by two-thirds, to four hours. The Malaysian minister of transport suggested that Malaysia could be China’s gateway to ASEAN.

The Big Plan

The ECRL will cost RM55 billion, with China’s Exim Bank financing the major expenditure with a RM38.5 billion loan, while the remaining RM16.5 billion funded through a sukuk issue. By 2030, cargo tonnage on the ECRL is estimated to be 53 million tonnes while 5.4 million travellers are projected annually for ratio of 70:30 of freight to passengers.

The ECRL is a logical development to a plethora of mega infrastructural projects in Malaysia that dovetail with China’s BRI launched in 2013 by President Xi Jinping as its 21st century Maritime Silk Road (MSR), the sea-borne part of OBOR. Other infrastructural projects in Malaysia which could be seen as part of the MSR involving China companies include the following:

  • Melaka Gateway (RM43 bil) by Power China International, launched in 2014;
  • Carey Island Port and City Complex (RM 200 bil), with negotiations ongoing with China Merchants Group; and
  • Kuantan Port and Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (RM 19 bil), by Guangxi Beibu International Port Group, to be completed in 2020.

Projects of this sort are reckoned by the government to have their optimal multiplier effects up and down the supply chain in terms of job creation, contracts to government-linked and private companies. For example it is envisaged that Carey Port, to be linked to Port Klang, when completed, would have an annual capacity of 30 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of container cargo. This compares well with Singapore’s present 30.9 million TEUs capacity and is about equivalent to the 53 million tonnage capacity of the ECRL.

Debate over ECRL

Notwithstanding whether the prime minister or his detractors are correct about the ECRL, China’s growing economic presence in Malaysia is already a reality. One could well argue that Prime Minister Najib’s embrace of BRI makes for good foreign policy from both an economic and geopolitical standpoint.

Showing economic preference to a major power bestows a measure of political leverage. However, if there is overdependence, the leverage may swing in favour of the major power.

Policies of non-alignment and hedging by small powers vis-à-vis big powers involve the delicate balancing of relationships of interdependence. Given China’s rise as a superpower in the Asia-Pacific, it would be logical for a small country or “middle power” (as Malaysia sees itself) to optimise economic engagement with China and take advantage of what Beijing has to offer.

The question that arises is whether Malaysia, in so doing, becomes too dependent on China and thus may lose its political leverage in fashioning an independent foreign policy vis-à-vis the superpower.

Naysayers have been quick to pounce on the “folly” of the ECRL project arguing that the borrowing from China will impose an unacceptable burden on the Malaysian government. One analyst has suggested that the project could eventually cost some RM100 billion.

Lessons from the Region

While admittedly BRI and the ECRL are strictly economic projects, the heavy reliance on China’s technology, expertise and financing of major infrastructural and development projects are bound to have political costs.

There may be some lessons to be learnt from China’s BRI projects with other countries. China helped the Sri Lankan government build its deep-water harbour in Hambantota, a financially troubled project which sparked street protests, charges of corruption and concerns that China could use the port as a naval base.

The new Sri Lankan government in 2017 negotiated a fresh deal, giving 70 percent ownership of the port to China and full management for 99 years. The new agreement may have reduced Sri Lanka’s financial burden but has conferred control and practical ownership of the port to China.

Two projected Thailand-China highspeed rail projects have also hit snags since they were launched in 2010. However, in June 2017, a new deal was inked for the 252km Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima portion, to be linked eventually to Kunming in China. Concerns have ranged from the passing of a new law by the Thai government to allow Chinese engineers to work on the project to the issues of debt burden and the adverse impact of the project on forest reserves.

Both the Sri Lankan and Thai experiences show that circumspection towards China’s BRI projects are imperative.

Era of Overdependence on China?

Malaysia is crucial to China’s BRI, given its strategic location straddling the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea. The Malaysian transport minister Liow Tiong Lai, who is also president of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), extolled the virtues of OBOR in a Malaysia-China Business Dialogue in Kuala Lumpur last year. Malaysia he said, could be the crucial link to the 65 OBOR countries in Asia, Europe and Africa.

Has the Malaysian government, in its pronouncements and commitments, already conceded too much to China instead of hedging its bets more carefully?

Malaysia was the first Southeast Asian country to recognise the People’s Republic of China when Prime Minister Najib’s father, Tun Abdul Razak, visited Beijing four decades ago and shook the hand of Mao Zedong. Tun Razak’s handshake presaged the era of non-alignment in Malaysia’s foreign policy. Will Najib’s handshake with Xi Jinping lead to an era of overdependence on China?

*Johan Saravanamuttu is Adjunct Senior Fellow with the Malaysia Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

North Korea: A Trip Report – OpEd

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By Leonid Kozlov*

(FPRI) — When foreigners travel to North Korea, they are usually limited to the capital Pyongyang. Rarely do they get to see other places in the still reclusive nation. We offer you a report from a Russian scholar, Leonid Kozlov, who recently visited Rajin, a port city at the junction of the North Korean, Chinese, and Russian borders. Kozlov, a scholar of international relations at Far Eastern Federal University, took advantage of a newly launched Russia-North Korea ferry link and bought a tour package to Rajin. This port, North Korean northern-most, forms the core of Rason (Rajin-Sonbong) special economic zone (SEZ), the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) first SEZ, which was inaugurated in 1991.

Kozlov’s voyage to the DPRK is part of a research project being conducted by researchers from the Foreign Policy Research Institute, the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), and Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Far Eastern Studies in Moscow. The project examines economic, political, and security links between Russia and North Korea. It also aims to assess Russia’s stance on the ongoing nuclear and missile crisis on the Korean Peninsula. FPRI will publish several additional reports during fall 2017.

Russia’s relations with North Korea are often ignored in the West, being completely overshadowed by China. However, Russia has had a long-time presence in North Korea, of which Rajin is the prime example. In recent years, the Russian-controlled company Rasonkontrans invested $300 million to upgrade the 54-kilometer cross-border rail link to Rajin and to build a modern cargo terminal there. In May 2017, a ferry line was launched connecting Vladivostok and Rajin. Operated by a Russian-North Korean joint venture, the DPRK-flagged Mangyongbong ferry boat provides weekly passenger and cargo service. It is currently the only regular international ferry service to North Korea.

Artyom Lukin, Far Eastern Federal University
Chris Miller, Foreign Policy Research Institute

My Trip to Rajin, North Korea via the Mangyongbong Ferry, July 14-20, 2017

The recent launch of North Korea’s Mangyonbong ferry from Vladivostok to Rajin presents researchers of the DPRK with several exciting developments. First, researchers can now visit the country two to three times for less than the cost of a traditional tour to Pyongyang. Second, as the DPRK’s development is very centralized—all the country’s greatest achievements are concentrated in the capital—a trip to Rajin offers a more accurate understanding of the development level of North Korea’s regions (even despite its status as a special economic zone).

The cost of a tour package to Rajin is about $450 for 4 nights and 5 days. It includes a ferry ticket, accommodation, three meals a day, and excursions. Since Rajin is a special economic zone, it’s not necessary to get a North Korean visa to enter the city. The Russian tour agency must simply get a list of ferry passengers approved by the North Korean consulate in Vladivostok before the trip. The consulate does, however, reserve the right to refuse any tourists on this list.

My round trip ferry ticket in an eight-seat cabin in third class cost approximately $185. That’s significantly less expensive than the cost of a flight from Vladivostok to Pyongyang (which is around 400 euro) and significantly more comfortable than the overnight train from Ussuriysk to Tumangan, especially for North Koreans working in Vladivostok. That said, I didn’t notice any migrant laborers on board. Once aboard the ferry, passengers may move around freely and are only prohibited from entering service quarters, although the captain did eagerly show his Russian guests the ship’s bridge. Personnel on the ferry were almost all from the DPRK and were very welcoming to the tourists. Attendants energetically conversed with us, to the extent that our language skills would allow, and asked excitedly about our homes, families, and daily lives in Russia. The ship itself was old, with signs of rust visible on its sides, although fresh repairs had been made to the cabins. The bunks were about 2 meters long and were quite comfortable. All told, our 90-mile trip from Vladivostok to Rajin took about 12-13 hours. (That is, the ferry travels at a meager speed of 7-8 miles per hour.)

A standard cabin on the Mangyongbong ferry
A standard cabin on the Mangyongbong ferry

On our first night in the city, we stayed at a hotel aptly named “Rajin.” The accommodations were quite comfortable. In the morning, I unsuccessfully attempted to walk around by myself, after which our tour group remained attentively supervised. As a Russian tourist, it’s forbidden to travel around Rajin without a guide. In theory, Chinese tourists must also be accompanied by a guide at all times, but there are significantly more visitors from China and the guides don’t have time to keep track of them all. With regard to photography, the main restrictions were no close-ups of people on the streets and no photos of military units. My observations, for the most part, were made from the bus window; as such, this report cannot pretend to be completely objective.

Street crossing in front of our hotel “Rajin”
Street crossing in front of our hotel “Rajin”

Our tour program consisted of the following excursions and activities: (1) a seal breeding-ground; (2) the hotel and casino, “Emperor;” (3) Rajin’s tourist center the “Golden coast,” which features an ocean beach; (4) the monument to Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il; (5) Sakhyan mountain; (6) the “fisherman’s house” where Kim Il-sung once visited; (7) the memorial to Soviet soldiers who died during the liberation of Rajin in 1945; (8) a boarding school for orphans; (9) the school of foreign languages for students age 11-15; (10) a seaside park and European-style bar; (11) the city market; (12) a children’s concert; (13) a conservatory of Kimilsungia and Kimjongilia flowers; (14) a cafeteria; and (15) a therapeutic massage.

Judging by the number of Chinese spectators at the children’s concert in the Palace of Pioneers, it appears that about 500 Chinese tourists visit Rajin each day. According to our guides, high tourist season lasts around five months, from May through September, which would mean that approximately 70-80,000 tourists visit Rajin every year. There were visitors from countries other than Russia and China as well; for instance, we encountered some German tourists during our visit. When we visited the casino in the “Emperor” hotel, a card game was in full swing, and the hall was crowded with no less than 50 players, despite the fact that it was two o’clock in the afternoon. Throughout our travels in Rajin, I saw at least eight hotels.

Chinese tourists taking pictures with performers from the children’s concert
Chinese tourists taking pictures with performers from the children’s concert

In a city with a population of about 100,000, I counted about twenty construction sites of multi-story buildings. Some sites were active; others were halted. The construction method appeared to be standard across the city: builders first erect a frame and then place a foundation of concrete blocks, even though the particular variety of concrete blocks used appear inexpensive and low-quality. Since the average temperature in Rajin during winter is -5° Celsius, I inquired about how the buildings were heated. Our interpreter explained that new buildings use central heating and have a centralized water supply and sewerage. Older buildings, including schools, are heated by furnaces, for which the state provides coal for free. The older parts of Rajin closely resemble northern Chinese hutongs. They have no sewer systems, and the residents wash their clothing in nearby gutters. When an unfavorable wind blows over the city, the smell is quite strong. There’s no trash in the streets, and garbage trucks are also not noticeable. By my observations, it seems that at least half of the population of Rajin lives in these hutongs. However, they’re gradually being demolished and new ones aren’t being built. Nevertheless, a large portion of the population, which is de-jure an urban population, lives a de facto provincial life. I’d estimate that at least 60% of the DPRK’s population is de-facto peasants.

Old quarters on the outskirts of Rajin
Old quarters on the outskirts of Rajin

On the roads, we often saw wagons harnessed by oxen and once even saw a two-wheeled cart pulled by horses. There were a lot of bicycles, few mopeds, and many pedestrians walking through the village streets. Public transport consists only of buses in the center of the city, so to reach the tourist center from the region’s outskirts, one must take a 30-minute taxi costing 100 yuan. Within Rajin city proper, any taxi costs 10 yuan. (One U.S. dollar is 6.7 yuan.) The roads are in poor condition: about 90% are unpaved, dirt roads; there is no gravel and practically no asphalt. The roads that are paved are made of concrete slabs, which violently shake as you drive over them. Nevertheless, traffic on the central streets is quite lively during the day; about every five seconds in the city, a car passed by us.

New construction and the market in Rajin
New construction and the market in Rajin

The power supply in Rajin has become noticeably better in recent years, judging by the stories of past travelers. At the tourist center and in the hotel, electricity was constant. We experienced just one power outage that lasted only a few minutes. Each apartment has a solar panel that occupies about half of an apartment window. Judging by the size, these panels should provide enough energy to light apartments in the evening and charge phones and tablets. At night time, pretty much all lights in the city were turned off.

Of the local stores, we were only able to visit those recommended for foreigners. The prices were on average higher than prices in Russia, so we primarily only bought souvenirs. If a tourist from our group needed to buy water or fruit, our guide would collect money from the individual and go to a local store himself. Prices for ordinary goods were as follows: Mineral water cost 3 yuan for a half liter bottle. A .65 liter bottle of Taedonggang beer cost 15 yuan. A 1.25 liter bottle of Rajin beer also cost 15 yuan. Melons were 7 yuan per kilogram. Entrance to the seaside park was 5 yuan. A school notebook was 2 yuan. A candy snack weighing 60g cost 1 yuan. And an excellent hour-long massage cost 100 yuan (although the Russian ferry staff told us that without a guide they can get the same massage for half the price). In the city’s covered market, you have to bargain with vendors and should aim to barter down the initial price by at least two times. Despite a terrible stuffiness in the market, people still crowd in. There appeared to be far more people in the market than in the whole city center.

The preferred foreign currency in Rajin is the Chinese yuan, and it’s accepted throughout the region. Dollars and rubles can be exchanged in banks, but they normally can’t be used on the streets. By law, North Koreans are forbidden from giving foreigners North Korean won, so they are used only in stores from which foreign tourists are prohibited. The prices in these stores are, of course, significantly less than those offered to the tourists elsewhere. However, foreigners who have a working visa in Rajin can freely travel around the city and go to the shops for the Korean residents, where they often can receive won in change.

Port Rajin
Port Rajin

Rajin’s port didn’t leave the most active impression on me. In the roadstead, there was one shipping container and one small dry cargo container. There were seven to eight small ships, as well as numerous boats. The Russian berth, owned by Rasonkontrans, looked the most modern. When we arrived at the port, we didn’t witness any vessels actively loading or unloading. The fishermen’s boats appeared quite old.

Overall, the standard of living in Rajin is not high, but it is certainly above the poverty level. Throughout our visit, we were constantly passing expensive cars, and our interpreter had a $430 smartphone. We never saw any beggars or drunks on the street, and our meals were always delicious, plentiful, and varied. The young women used cosmetics and looked very put together, and the young men widely engaged in sports (soccer is the most popular). Recreational grounds at schools and factories were almost all unpaved, except at the boarding school for orphans, which featured a playground made of a synthetic surface. The city stadium is currently being reconstructed to accommodate 20-30,000 seats, and newly constructed sports facilities for volleyball, basketball, and swimming recently opened their doors. Smoking is falling out of fashion, but the habit remains widespread. Clothing is simple, mainly made in China, and there are few liberties allowed when it comes to clothes or relations between the sexes. In their spare time, people walk in the park, sing karaoke, play sports, go to the city’s few cafes, visit its theater, 3D cinema, small water park, or arcade, and swim on the beach at the tourist center. A large new Palace of Pioneers is currently being built to serve as a center for children involved in creative and technical activities.

Construction of the city stadium
Construction of the city stadium

The locals are unaccustomed to and shy away from Europeans, but they reciprocate greetings from European tourists amiably. They’re much warmer to Russian visitors than to the Chinese because, according to our North Korean guide, Chinese visitors are “loud and behave as if they owned the place.” The Koreans really value when foreigners display knowledge of their history and culture. For instance, our tour guides were very pleased when I identified the 16th century admiral and hero of the Imjin War with the Japanese, Yi Sun-shin, in a picture in the local art gallery. Knowledge of foreign languages is weak in Rajin, so if one frequently does business in the city, they’ll have to acquire a rudimentary knowledge of Korean for everyday encounters.

Overall, this trip confirmed the assessments of the DPRK’s economic situation offered by most North Korea specialists. That is, under Kim Jong-un’s rule, the North Korean economy has experienced small, but steady growth. The level of consumption and quality of life are gradually growing, and production technologies are being improved.

About the author:
*Leonid Kozlov
is Associate Professor of International Relations at Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok.

Source:
This article was published by FPRI


Hubble Delivers First Hints Of Possible Water Content Of TRAPPIST-1 Planets

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An international team of astronomers used the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to estimate whether there might be water on the seven earth-sized planets orbiting the nearby dwarf star TRAPPIST-1.

The results suggest that the outer planets of the system might still harbour substantial amounts of water. This includes the three planets within the habitable zone of the star, lending further weight to the possibility that they may indeed be habitable.

On February 22, 2017 astronomers announced the discovery of seven Earth-sized planets orbiting the ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1, 40 light-years away. This makes TRAPPIST-1 the planetary system with the largest number of Earth-sized planets discovered so far.

Following up on the discovery, an international team of scientists led by the Swiss astronomer Vincent Bourrier from the Observatoire de l’Université de Genève, used the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope to study the amount of ultraviolet radiation received by the individual planets of the system.

“Ultraviolet radiation is an important factor in the atmospheric evolution of planets,” said Bourrier. “As in our own atmosphere, where ultraviolet sunlight breaks molecules apart, ultraviolet starlight can break water vapour in the atmospheres of exoplanets into hydrogen and oxygen.”

While lower-energy ultraviolet radiation breaks up water molecules — a process called photodissociation — ultraviolet rays with more energy (XUV radiation) and X-rays heat the upper atmosphere of a planet, which allows the products of photodissociation, hydrogen and oxygen, to escape.

As it is very light, hydrogen gas can escape the exoplanets’ atmospheres and be detected around the exoplanets with Hubble, acting as a possible indicator of atmospheric water vapour. The observed amount of ultraviolet radiation emitted by TRAPPIST-1 indeed suggests that the planets could have lost gigantic amounts of water over the course of their history.

This is especially true for the innermost two planets of the system, TRAPPIST-1b and TRAPPIST-1c, which receive the largest amount of ultraviolet energy. “Our results indicate that atmospheric escape may play an important role in the evolution of these planets,” said Julien de Wit, from MIT, USA, co-author of the study.

The inner planets could have lost more than 20 Earth-oceans-worth of water during the last eight billion years. However, the outer planets of the system — including the planets e, f and g which are in the habitable zone — should have lost much less water, suggesting that they could have retained some on their surfaces.

The calculated water loss rates as well as geophysical water release rates also favor the idea that the outermost, more massive planets retain their water. However, with the currently available data and telescopes no final conclusion can be drawn on the water content of the planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1.

“While our results suggest that the outer planets are the best candidates to search for water with the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope, they also highlight the need for theoretical studies and complementary observations at all wavelengths to determine the nature of the TRAPPIST-1 planets and their potential habitability,” concluded Bourrier.

Climate Change May Be Linked To Spike In US Road Deaths

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Climate change may be linked to the spike in US road deaths in 2015, which abruptly reversed the trend of the previous 35 years, concludes a study published online in the journal Injury Prevention.

Safety officials had thought that increased use of cell phones while behind the wheel had been responsible for the 7 percent surge in road traffic collision deaths in 2015.

But a national survey of observed cell phone use by drivers found no change in use between 2014 and 2015, which also happened to be an exceptionally warm year in the US.

This prompted the researcher to ponder whether warming of the atmosphere might be behind the figures.

He therefore looked at two sets of data to assess the potential association between temperature and rainfall on the annual miles driven per person in urban areas and risk of death per head in the 100 most densely populated counties in the US.

The average annual temperature increased 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit from 2014 to 2015 in the areas studied.

Vehicles were driven an average of 60 extra miles per year per person for each degree increase in temperature, and they were driven an average of 66 additional miles for each additional inch of rainfall.

The death rate was higher in warmer areas and in those with higher rainfall. It was also higher in counties with larger land mass and where the speed limit on urban freeways was higher.

Conversely, the death rate was lower in households with higher average income, possibly because drivers are able to afford more up to date models equipped with more safety features, suggested the researcher.

Based on the association between miles driven per person and average annual temperature in urban areas, drivers would have clocked up 13.6 billion extra miles as the result of a 1.5 degree increase, calculated the researcher.

Death rates increase steadily as temperatures rise, not only because more people drive on warmer days, but other road users are more likely to be out about on foot or on bikes as well, he said.

Comparison of the number of deaths that would be expected from the temperature changes and the actual numbers suggests that most of the reversal in the death rate in 2015 was related to increases in temperature in the counties where this occurred.

Although the increase in temperature from 2014 to 2015 was unusual for a single year, it is consistent with known effects of heat trapping gases from burning fossil fuels, said the researcher.

This is an observational study so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, but the correlation of mileage and temperature suggests a classic vicious circle whereby higher temperatures equal more miles driven, leading to more CO2 emissions, which in turn lead to higher temperatures,” he explaind.

“As temperatures continue to increase from heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, road deaths will likely increase more than expected unless there are major mitigating countermeasures,” he concluded.

Bangladesh’s Latest Commando Drill Showcases Readiness To Tackle Security Threats – OpEd

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Commandos from the Bangladesh Army, along with other security forces, performed a drill on the August 17 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka’s Mirpur area amid the Australian cricket team’s tour of Bangladesh.

Ahead of the Test Match Series (ongoing) between Australia and Bangladesh, this drill was conducted not just to assure the Cricket Australia (cricket board) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the security of the visiting team in the country, but also to portray the international community that Bangladesh is prepared to tackle any potential threats from the militants, ensuring protection to the foreign citizens in the country.

The members of ad-hoc battalion along with Military Directorate, Army Headquarters, Armed Forces Division (AFD), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Police, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and other security intelligence agencies took part in the drill.

Although Australia sent their cricket team this month, they previously had, back in 2015, cancelled a tour in Bangladesh fearing security threats. Indeed, since 2013, there have been attacks on many locals and foreigners within Bangladesh. Militant organizations, both local and international, have been continuously claiming responsibilities for these attacks. The government and the law-enforcement agencies attributed these attacks to home-grown militants, and denied any international organization’s link to the attacks.

Many individuals – bloggers, writers, publishers, and academicians – have been killed for allegedly insulting Islam. Also, religious minorities, including Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and Shites (shias) were killed during the period. The Australia cricket team perhaps cancelled their tour after taking into consideration the abovementioned security situation that had been prevailing in Bangladesh during the period.

Additionally, the English cricket team also thought about cancelling their tour of Bangladesh in 2016 following the Dhaka’s Holey Artisan attack, which was claimed to have been masterminded by ISIS sympathizers in the country. The attack on the night of the July 1, 2016 at Holey Artisan, a Spanish cafe in capital Dhaka’s most secured Diplomatic quarter (Gulshan), reflected the outburst of a new security related reality that had been slowly on rise in Bangladesh from 2013 onwards, as mentioned earlier.

On that night, the scale of attack that Bangladesh experienced was unprecedented and it raised the concern over the country’s security situation to a new height. Immediately after the Holey Artisan attack, which was followed by another attack in the same month in Sholakia close to Bangladesh’s largest Eid congregation, the foreign embassies and businesses became cautious in their operations in Bangladesh and warned their citizens to reduce their movements within the country.

The US Department of State warned its citizens to consider carefully whether to travel to Bangladesh. This was a time when, as mentioned earlier, confusion arose over the English cricket team’s scheduled tour of Bangladesh (2016) amid worsening security environment in the country.

However, Bangladesh authorities have been quick to take control of the security situation and managed to shatter all further attempts made by the militants so far.

Hosting the subsequent (scheduled) international events, summits and conferences – including the Dhaka International Folk Festival in November 2016, the 136th Inter-Parliamentary Union conference in April 2017 and the 4th Asia LPG Summit in February 2017 – portrays the growing confidence on the part of the international community over the improved security environment in Bangladesh subsequent to the Holey Artisan attack.

India’s accord on investments in Bangladesh (during Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s India visit) clearly reflects the neighboring country’s implicit acceptance of a ‘stable, secure and business friendly environment’ in Bangladesh.

Moreover, the tour of the English cricket team in Bangladesh in October 2016 – ending all the confusion that was brewing regarding the tour – stands as further testimony to the country’s recovery of a secured and stable security environment. Bangladesh military conducted a military drill during that tour too and the English team was given the ‘head of state’ style security during their Bangladesh tour.

Since, like the English team, Australia also did not show reluctance this time in coming to Bangladesh, it is apparent that their fear of security threats have largely been reduced due to, perhaps, the Bangladeshi security forces’ post-Holey Artisan activities in their attempt to reduce the potential militant threats within the country.

Japan’s Regional Initiatives: Delaying The Inevitable? – Analysis

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Since Donald Trump took office as the new president of the United States, he has been giving confusing signals to the international community and allies as to how the US will pursue its longstanding role as champion of the liberal democratic order and number one security provider all over the world.

As promised during the presidential campaign, Trump withdrew the US from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal in January, and in June withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement. During the presidential campaign, he criticized China for being a “currency manipulator” and angered Beijing in his telephone call to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. Eventually, he reversed his stand and told Chinese President Xi Jinping that he would honor the “One China” policy, at the request of the latter.

Many questions are being asked about how evolving big power dynamics should be managed and how to properly adapt to the new circumstances.

Security concerns continue to plague the region

As the Trump administration grapples for a clear foreign policy agenda, major security issues continue to loom over the southeast and northeast Asian regions. The territorial disputes in the South China Sea (SCS) and East China Sea, while apparently quieting down in the last year, remain with no clear solution in sight. In the SCS, some claimant states have begun cozying up to China and setting aside the disputes in exchange for economic benefits. This allowed China to persist in militarizing the reefs it recently built into islands, without much resistance.

On the Korean peninsula, North Korea remains unstoppable in its missile tests, causing serious concern for neighboring countries, mainly Japan and South Korea. Two such missile tests were conducted in the month of July alone, the latter possibly the longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile ever tested, with potential to reach major U.S. cities.

Between Trump’s confusing foreign policy and these regional security concerns is China’s growing economic and military power, compounding the sense of an uncertain future for the region. Aside from further militarizing the SCS, China has embarked on large-scale economic initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). It continues to infuse massive amounts of bilateral investments in partner countries which result in increasing political influence. This further raises anxiety among states as to how to deal with an assertive China, a retreating U.S., and the consequences for the international order.

As uncertainty and potential instability loom, Japan, being the third largest economy in the world, the most reliable ally of US in the region, but only a “middle power” compared to US and China, has started initiating measures to address the situation. The stakes are extremely high for Japan. Where these could lead will greatly affect its status and influence in the region.

Abe’s proactive role

In January of 2107 , Prime Minister Shinzo Abe embarked on an Asia-Pacific tour visiting four countries – Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, and Vietnam – within six days. The tour aimed to boost regional ties as he discussed maritime security and trade with leaders. While visiting Australia, Abe said the main priority of his trip was regional security and that he wanted to talk to his friends in the region on joining forces for regional peace.

Abe was the first head of state to visit the Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office. The Japanese Prime Minister pledged $8.7 billion worth of business opportunities and private investments as well as speedboats and equipment to combat terrorism in the country. In Vietnam, he committed six patrol vessels to help enhance maritime law enforcement capability in relation to China’s activities in the SCS. Japan and Indonesia have yet to talk about the SCS subject in greater detail but during that visit, Abe obtained Indonesia’s commitment to cooperate in ensuring peace and stability in the region.

Japan also conducted joint Coast Guard maritime exercises with the Philippines and another with Vietnam in June. The joint exercise with the Philippines was on combating piracy and armed robbery at sea, while the one with Vietnam focused on illegal fishing in the SCS. All of these add to the increasing maritime security cooperation between Japan and the two countries in recent years.

As to Japan-US ties, Abe visited Trump in February to strengthen US-Japan ties and get a reaffirmation of US commitments to the Asia Pacific. The visit happened after Trump withdrew the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership where Japan and US together make up 75 percent of the TPP collective GDP. Abe’s efforts seem to have paid off at least in part as Trump offered reassurances that US will come to Japan’s aid in its territorial dispute with China over the Senkaku Islands.

However, even with such initiatives taken, Japan recognizes China’s increasing military and economic might and prepares for a future where China’s influence will be greater than that of the US. After a long-time stand of not joining the AIIB (along with US) Abe finally signalled last May that Japan might consider joining the bank. Furthermore, despite earlier hesitance to join the Belt and Road Forum, Japan eventually decided to send a delegation to the Belt and Road Summit in May, led by Toshihiro Nikai, the Secretary-General of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democractic Party. Nikai had a meeting with President Xi and also signalled Tokyo’s readiness to join the bank.

Japan’s role as a middle power is becoming critical to the future of East Asia. Initiatives conducted by a middle power in engaging smaller states, especially economic ones, are helpful in balancing China’s rapidly increasing influence. They can provide economic alternatives for smaller states to prevent them from becoming too dependent on the Chinese economy.

Security initiatives on the other hand provide assurance that despite the looming possibility of US decline, Tokyo stands ready to provide necessary assistance – albeit in the form of capability building.. Moreover, joint military or coast guard activities serve as confidence-building measures between the middle power and the smaller states they are engaging with.

Abe’s Asia-Pacific tour, as well as economic and military initiatives, were timely as China pulls the region closer to it through investments in infrastructure. Abe’s economic pledges and support for maritime security are intended to provide a counterweight to China’s offers of economic aid. The tour was Abe’s response to China’s growing dominance and the uncertainty of US foreign policy in the region as the US government continues its transition.

A consistent US foreign policy?

This raises the question as to what the US, as a big power, should be doing. During the 2017 Shangri-La Dialogue, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis sought to ease the concerns of allies in the Asia-Pacific by indicating the priority status US gave the region. This was consistent with previous assurances earlier this year by US government officials. Such consistency, especially with regards to regional issues such as territorial disputes and the North Korean missile threat, is important, adding predictability so that countries involved can act accordingly, thereby reducing instability.

US also has to continue engaging its allies to make sure that they are on the same page in terms of interests and commitments in the region. The joint statement by US, Japan, and Australia during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Manila this year, for China and the Philippines to abide by the arbitral ruling on disputed islands in the SCS showed that the allies agree on their collective interest with respect to the SCS territorial dispute, or at least with respect to the significance of the arbitral ruling. Of course, consistency must also come from the highest leader – President Trump. Statements which are again incoherent with what his officials are articulating will hurt US reputation and may lead to further confusion. Hence, Trump must observe utmost discretion and avoid statements (and tweets) that increase doubt over US commitments to the region.

As helpful as Japan’s initiatives may be, it ultimately needs the support and commitment of the US if it is to balance against China effectively. After all, China is also a major economic partner of Japan and Tokyo cannot risk antagonizing Beijing to the extent that its own economic interests are harmed. Aside from strong economic ties, China also holds a strategic role in key security issues such as in reaching out to North Korea. Japan, therefore, can only balance against a big power up to a certain extent. Without the backing of another big power (which in this context is the US) Japan will only succeed in delaying rather than preventing that which could be inevitable – the establishment of a new regional order under a new hegemon – China.

This article was published at Asia Pacific Pathways To Progress

Joe Arpaio Is No Aberration – OpEd

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Even most leftish white Americans like to think that their country is good and its institutions are fair and equitable. According to this wishful thinking human rights abuses only happen in faraway places and injustices here are resolved by reining in a few bad apples. The facts say otherwise and prove that the United States is consistently one of the worst human rights violators in the world. The cruelty of its prison system extends far beyond headlines of a few well known villains like David Clarke and Joe Arpaio .

Donald Trump’s pardon of former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio is quite rightly a big news story. Trump’s pardon is easily denounced as an obvious violation of the spirit of the presidential pardon process. It was a sham used to circumvent an established process. Arpaio had not even been sentenced for his misdemeanor contempt of court conviction. Full pardons are rare in any case, with examples such as Chelsea Manning’s being far more common. She received a commutation and only after serving seven years of her sentence.

Arpaio is surely deserving of scorn heaped upon him. He referred to his jails as “concentration

camps.He held prisoners outdoors in tents, a violation of national and international law. Arpaio was convicted of contempt of court because he continued to detain undocumented people without charge in violation of a judge’s order.

He used intimidation and charged anyone who opposed him with crimes and even faked an assassination attempt which sent an innocent man to jail for four years. Not only were female prisoners shackled while giving birth but he didn’t bother to investigate hundreds of sexual assault cases. The judgments against him cost Maricopa County in Arizona millions of dollars.

But Arpaio differs from the rest of law enforcement only in the openness of his methods. Joe Arpaio was a media whore and relished the attention given to him by Fox news and other right wing outlets. He became a fixture among the people who elected Donald Trump and openly bragged about his untouchability.

It must be pointed out that the United States is full of Arpaios in all 50 states. Two judges in Pennsylvania literally made a fortune sending juveniles to jail. Women in New York state prisons are still shackled while giving birth , in direct violation of that state’s law.

No one knows for certain how many people died in Arpaio’s custody. But there are horrific stories of death in prison all over the country. Prisoners have died of thirst, or from treatable illnesses when denied medication. Some of these cases are brought to light but thousands of others go unreported. In the state of Texas alone, 6,900 prisoners died in custody over a ten year period.

Trump and Arpaio are inviting targets. Both men dispense with niceties and show the system in its barbaric glory. There is no attempt to mince words, beat around bushes or put a happy face on wrong doing. They are forthright in advocating their racism while the prison industrial complex grinds on, destroying lives and sometimes ending them.

Arpaio and Trump show the dangers of allowing open racism to flourish. The Trump presidency emboldens white supremacy but in an ironic way minimizes it too. Mass incarceration is diminished by attention paid to the Trumps and Arpaios in this country. Because of the endless desire to cover up the country’s crimes, the focus falls on the most blatant evils. All the while the system goes on committing an unknown number of human rights abuses in jails and prisons across the country.

The system is built to incarcerate for the sake of incarcerating, and people of color are the primary victims. Their victimizers may not look for publicity like Arpaio did, but their actions as nameless bureaucrats are equally deadly.

It is a grave mistake to reserve outrage and protest for the Trumps and the Arpaios of the world. Doing so allows the other killers to act with impunity. That is why the carceral system must be torn out root and branch. Prison abolition should be the watch words and mealy mouthed talk of reform must be dismissed.

The United States would still have more than 2 million incarcerated persons if Joe Arpaio didn’t exist or if Donald Trump weren’t president. It should not be forgotten that a Democratic president, Bill Clinton, did more to expand mass incarceration than any other. But his successors did nothing to end it either.

The worst criminals are outside of the prison walls. Some of them are well known like Trump and Arpaio but most are faceless as they carry out horrific abuses. The focus of our attention must be on ending the system that allows them all to flourish.

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